US extends sanctions against North Korea

On June 18, in a message to the US Congress, President Barack Obama extended sanctions against North Korea for one year.

President Obama said that North Korea could “continue to pose unusual and extraordinary threats to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States,” so it is necessary to maintain the sanctions currently in place.

In 2008, the administration of former President George W. Bush declared a state of emergency with respect to North Korea under the National Emergencies Act. At this time each year, the emergency with respect to North Korea automatically expires unless the current president declares it will be extended.

The US and South Korean militaries will hold their largest-scale live-fire exercise on June 22 (Photo: PRESS TV)

In a related development, North Korea on June 18 criticized the US and South Korea’s plan to hold live-fire military exercises on June 22 in Pocheon, near the North Korean border. North Korean officials said the exercise was a “military provocation” and accused the US of gradually turning South Korea into a base in Asia.

“North Korea is watching every move with extreme vigilance. North Korea will strengthen its self-defense capabilities by all means to protect its national sovereignty,” a spokesman at the North Korean Foreign Ministry said.

According to Nguoilaodong-M